Migraines & headaches decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for insomnia, headaches, depression and anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, loss of motion, and frequent sore throats as these conditions are considered to be symptoms of his service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, sinusitis, and chronic headaches. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service disease or injury related to these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and a left knee disorder, finding that there was no nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current migraine headaches are not related to his period of military service, including an in-service forehead injury. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the veteran's current condition is linked to his service.

The Board granted an increased rating to 30 percent for service-connected left-sided subdural hematoma with post-concussion syndrome and migraine headaches, effective February 10, 2004. The issue of an earlier effective date than February 10, 2004 is being remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic headaches with dizziness as there was no competent medical evidence of a current disability and nexus between an injury or disease incurred during service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinea pedis and onychomycosis was granted, with a current rating of 30 percent.,The effective date for the 30 percent rating for tinea pedis and onychomycosis is set at April 19, 2002. The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their onset during active military duty.,The veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and chronic headaches were also not shown to have had their onset during active military duty.

The veteran's low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss disability are granted service connection, while his migraine headaches and tinnitus remain at their current ratings.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for her service-connected migraine headaches was granted, with the effective date being set at the date of receipt of the Notice of Disagreement.

The Board found that the veteran's headaches and trigeminal neuralgia were not caused by his active military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to clarify his service status at the time of his stroke and to obtain any relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's skin disorder, migraine headaches, and bilateral foot disorder were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his bilateral hearing loss warranted a noncompensable evaluation. The other issues were not addressed due to pending appeals.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized emergency care expenses incurred on August 9, 2003 was denied because he had coverage under a health-plan contract and thus did not meet the criteria for payment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from the Chicago VAMC and scheduling a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of any head injury residuals.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic acquired eye disorder and an increased rating for his post-traumatic headaches, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent, and his anxiety reaction with tension headaches is rated at 30 percent. The veteran has not met the criteria for a higher rating under either diagnostic code.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for headaches and service connection for depression. The veteran's headaches are currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum available under VA regulations. Service connection for depression was not established due to lack of supporting medical evidence.